Romo named UT Austin distinguished alumnus

(Oct. 17, 2008)--The Texas Exes have announced the 2008 University of Texas at Austin Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients including UTSA President Ricardo Romo. The six alumni who will be given the Distinguished Alumnus Award are being recognized for distinguishing themselves professionally and through service to the university.

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Ricardo Romo, B.S. '67, San Antonio, is president of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Since Romo became president in 1999, UTSA's enrollment has grown nearly 50 percent, and the university has added numerous programs and facilities to enhance student life. From 1980 to 1999, Romo was a professor of history and an administrator at the University of Texas at Austin.

Linnet Frazier Deily, B.A. '67, Houston, has been a deputy U.S. trade representative and U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization (2001-05), vice chairman of Charles Schwab Corp., on the advisory council to the Federal Reserve Bank's board of governors and a University of Texas regent.

Salam Fayyad, Ph.D. '86, Jerusalem, is prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority and a former representative to the International Monetary Fund. Fayyad is widely respected in international circles and seen by analysts as one of the best hopes for peace between Palestine and Israel.

Marcia Gay Harden, B.A. '80, New York, is an Academy Award-winning actor. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Pollock" (2000) and was nominated in the same category for "Mystic River" (2003). She also has numerous Broadway and television credits.

Tom Hicks, B.B.A. '68, Dallas, is chairman and CEO of Hicks Holdings LLC and owns the Dallas Stars hockey club, the Texas Rangers baseball club and the Liverpool football club. He is a philanthropist and former University of Texas regent.

W.A. "Tex" Moncrief Jr., B.S. '42, Fort Worth, is an oil and gas producer and rancher. He is president of the Wm. A. and Elizabeth B. Moncrief Foundation, and he, as well as the foundation, contributes to many educational, health, civic and cultural organizations. He also is a former University of Texas regent.

The recipients will be honored at a presentation in Austin on Friday, Oct. 17. Created in 1958 by the Texas Exes, the award annually recognizes up to six alumni of the University of Texas at Austin. Recipients are chosen by a special Texas Exes committee from nominations submitted by alumni and other members of the university community. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest alumni award of The University of Texas at Austin.